Fourth-generation soldier with local roots receives promotion

Friday

Mar 21, 2014 at 6:00 AM

By Kärin Radock SPECIAL TO THE ITEM

CLINTON — On a brisk March day, family members gathered at Hamilton Square Park to watch their father, husband, son, grandson, nephew and cousin be promoted to chief warrant officer three of the U.S. Army.

Standing in front of the World War I memorial, bearing his great-grandfather's name, fourth-generation soldier Michael Radock emotionally said, "I've been in (the Army) 15 years now, and I haven't been able to be around all of you. … There's no place I would rather be than right here today."

Michael, who grew up in Florida, wanted to have his promotion in Clinton, where his great-grandparents emigrated from Poland, and his grandfather and parents grew up.

"There was no place I would rather it have been, considering this is where our family's roots are," he explained.

While Michael said he was inspired to join the Army after attending his friend's graduation from Parris Island, the Marine Corps eastern recruiting region, he admitted, "Looking back at it, I don't know if I always had it in the back of my mind that our family has served."

His father, Paul Radock, served during the Vietnam era; his grandfather, Frank Radock, served in the World War II era; and his great-grandfather, Peter Radock, served in World War I. His other grandfather, Laurence Woods, also served approximately 22 years in the Army and served in the Korean War, and his uncle Larry Woods, served 11 years in the Navy.

Michael is currently the assistant director for flag and warrant officer promotion in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, in its general and flag officer management office at the Pentagon. He processes general and flag officer nominations for the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

Before that, he was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, then Germany and Belgium, and returned to Fort Hood. During that time, he served two tours in Iraq and was in Afghanistan for a short period before finally moving to Washington, D.C., with his wife Jenn and their three sons Caleb, Aidan and Talan.

"In 15 years, probably four of those years were spent away from her and the kids," he said. "Twenty-five to 26 months deployed, and then the schooling … the training. … It all adds up - so much time away from family."

Jenn said their oldest son, Caleb, was in five different schools by the time he was in fifth grade.

But overall, Michael said, "I think the Army has been great for me … and my family."

Michael said he probably wouldn't have a master's degree today were it not for the help he's received from the Army, and Jenn was able to pay for her schooling because of its support.

"We had so many great experiences traveling everywhere," Michael said.

Jenn said, "With deployment, you take the good and the bad, and that's part of the Army."

"I'm so proud," she said. "He's a good guy, good soldier, good warrant officer and a good dad."

Radock's mother, Cathy Radock, said having the promotion in Clinton means a lot.

"I'm big on family and I'm really proud," Cathy said. "I think it's interesting to think of when he was a little boy and where he is now. When he was little, he wrote to the president and had a Gulf War pen pal. He turned out to be an awesome man - great father, husband and son."

Paul Radock said, "We're really proud. Coming here was something he (Michael) wanted. I think it was good to have all five generations (of Radocks) here."

Frank Radock said, "I'm very happy for Paul (his son and Michael's father). I hope Michael gets another 15 years."

Radock's grandmother, Jeannette Woods, said she hopes Michael knows "how proud we are. He's accomplished a lot in a short period of time. The promotion was very touching."

The ceremony came full circle when Michael's mother read the promotional order issued by the secretary of the Army and the president of the United States, then his father and grandfather Frank pinned his jacket with new shoulder boards, embroidered with three white dots for his new rank of warrant officer three, and his wife and son, Caleb, pinned his shirt.